KUCHING: A Dayak community association received RM25,000 to strengthen its welfare programmes and preserve the cultural heritage of the community.
The allocation comprised RM20,000 for Persatuan Kebajikan Masyarakat Asal Engkilili, Lubok Antu dan Skrang (PELASAR) to support its programmes and activities, and RM5,000 for Persatuan Gendang Pampat Kuching to continue preserving the community’s cultural heritage.
International Trade, Industry and Investment Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh said organisations such as PELASAR played an important role in promoting the welfare, education, and unity of the Dayak community.
“I encourage those from Batang Ai, Batang Lemanak, Engkari, Skrang, and Engkilili who are residing in Kuching and Samarahan to join PELASAR as a platform to strengthen ties within the community,” he said when officiating at the PELASAR Dinner and Ngiling Bidai 2026 at Penview Convention Centre (PCC), Demak, here recently, which drew more than 700 guests.
During the event, Mussen presented PELASAR Education Incentives to 21 recipients and Certificates of Appreciation to the association’s 2024 to 2026 executive committee members in recognition of their service and commitment.
He said PELASAR had continued to serve the community through welfare assistance, educational support, and collaboration with government agencies in addressing social and economic challenges.
According to the association, it provided 101 welfare and bereavement assistance cases between 2020 and 2025.
It also awarded education incentives to 83 students pursuing diploma, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and PhD programmes during the same period.
Besides welfare initiatives, the association has worked with various government agencies to assist communities affected by disasters, fires, and other hardships.
